Receptacle used in constructing graves.



e D d P N 0 Dn M A c u H m 9 3 6 m N RECEPTACLE USED IN CONSTRUGTING GRAVES.

(Application filed Apr. 20, 1899,)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Wiinesses.

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m. 639,2!0. Patented Dec. l9, I899. ".11. CAMERON.

BECEPTACLE USED IN GDNSTBUCTING GRAVES.

(Application filed Apr. 20, 1899.)

2 She et s-Sheet 2 no Modai.)

Wiinesses. Int/anion M JGQm- QQ I TNE mumps PETERS cu. PHOTO-LYING wAanmaTom n. c,

llwrrnn Sta i ns Parana FFICEQ HENRY D. CAMERON, OF BURLINGTON, IOI/VA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 639,210, dated December 19, 18 99.

Application filed April 20, 1899. Serial No. 713,742. (No modeLl T0 ozZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY D. CAMERON, of Burlington, in the county of Des Moines and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DevicesorReceptacles for Use in the Construction of Graves; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a device for use in the construction of graves, the object being to provide a device capable of being readily transported and adapted to receive earth during the digging of the grave, conceal the same during the burial service, so as to avoid the unsightly appearance of a mound of earth alongside the grave, and capable of being operated to discharge earth into the open grave.

With this end in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view of my improved device arranged alongside of a grave and in a position to receive the earth as it is removed from said grave, the flexible cover being removed. Fig. 2 is a view in cross-section of same. Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal section of same. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the flexible cover being represented in its normal or closed position. Fig. 5 is a similar view in which the flexible cover is removed and the hinged side lowered for discharging the earth into the open grave, and Fig. 6 shows the several parts comprising my device detached and packed for transportation.

A represents my improved device, preferably constructed of Wood or iron, the several sections thereof being so constructed and arranged as to enable their quick separation possible when it is desired to remove the device from one place to another. The bottom 1 of the device is provided on its upper face, at the ends thereof, with narrow strips 2 2 and along its back edge with a strip 8, said strips being mortised at intervals for the reception of tenons at the lower ends of cleats secured to the exterior faces of end sections 4 4 and back section 5, respectively. The side or end sections, as well as the back section, are each provided with a series of bolts or pins 6, depending below their bottom edges and adapted to enter holes or sockets formed in the upper face of bottom 1, whereby said sections are removably secured to and supported upon said bottom. The back and end sections 4 5 are prevented from displacement relatively to each other by top section 8, which latter is also provided with a series of holes or sockets for the reception of bolts or pins 9, carried by said sections and projecting above their upper edges. This top 8 firmly locks the parts together and prevents lateral movement of said parts when earth is being thrown violently against them.

Hinged to the front edge of bottom 1 is a gate or front section 11, the height of which is preferably equal to about one-third the height of back section 5 or equal to the height of the vertical front'ends of end sections 4 4. This gate when closed overlaps the vertical front edges of end sections 4 4, to which latter it is locked when in its closed position, the locking means preferably consisting of any approved and easily-operated hook 10 located as shown in the drawings. In hinging gate 11 to the bottom 1 it is desirable that hinges of such construction and strength be employed that neither their efficiency nor durability will be interfered with orimpaired by the accumulation of earth around or between the operating parts, and to this end I prefer to employ the style of hinge shown or some equivalent structure.

Earth is prevented from passing over the ends of the gate 11 while the latter is being opened or when the earth is being shoveled into the open grave by two segmental plates 13 13, attached to the inner face of said gate. The plates 13 are disposed near the outer ends of gate 11, and when the latter is being opened or closed said plates are adapted to move in contact with the inner surfaces of the end sections 4 4, said partitions being guided in their movements by lugs 13", secured to said end sections. When the gate 11 is in its open position, the free ends of plates l3 l3 overlap the vertical forward ends of end sections a t, and when said gate is in its closed position the ends of the plates rest in grooves formed in bottom 1.

The opening between the top section 8 and the gate 11 is closed by means of a flexible covering or curtain 14, removably supported from the forward edge of said top. The cover or curtain is prevented from collapsing or falling through the open space or from being blown aside by aweight 15, located in a pocket formed in the bottom of said curtain, said weight extending from end to end of the curtain and adapted to rest on top of gate 11, the end edges of said curtain resting on the inclined faces 14 of end sections 4 4t, thus entirely concealing the contents of the receptacle from View.

The under side of bottom 1 is provided lengthwise and crosswise with a series of cleats for elevating said bottom a short distance above the ground, thus reducing the possibility of injuring the grass to a minimum. The ends of the two outer cleats extending lengthwise the bottom project a short distance beyond the ends of said bottom and serve as handles for use in transporting the device when the latter is collapsed.

In making graves it is the universal practice to throw the earth excavated therefrom alongside the grave, which method not only renders the adjacent ground unsightly, but also utilizes valuable space which might otherwise be occupied by the relatives and friends of the person to be buried. It also destroys the surrounding grass and in bad weather makes the place of burial muddy. With the device or receptacle above described these objections are obviated, because earth as it is excavated is thrown into the receptacle, and when the grave shall have been completed the earth will be concealed from view by dropping the curtain and cover over the opening through which the earth has been thrown. Thus it will be seen that all the earth taken from the grave is confined within a small compass at one side thereof, leaving a large area around the grave for the reception of mourners and attending societies. When the burial service has been concluded, the gate 11 of the device or receptacle can be released and allowed to drop upon the edge of the grave, which operation allows the earth supported by said gate to fall within said grave. The plates 13 13 prevent the earth while being discharged from falling on the grass adjacent to said grave. After the grave has been filled the several sections comprising the device or receptacle may be easily and quickly detached or separated from one another, the back, sides or ends, top, gate, and curtain being piled upon the bottom, and in this condition they may be readily transported by means of the handles projecting from said bottom.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi 1. A receptacle comprising a base, detachable upright sections, a hinged gate and detachable flexible curtain or cover extending from the top of the receptacle to said gate.

2. A receptacle comprising sections detachably connected together and a discharging device for said receptacle, of a curtain removably attached to the top of the receptacle and terminating over said discharging device.

A receptacle comprising a base, detachable upright sections, a gate hinged to the front edge of said base, means for locking said gate in its closed position and a flexible curtain extending from the top to said gate.

at. The combination in a receptacle for earth, of a base, detachable upright back and end sections, a gate hinged to the base and adapted to close against the end sections and segmental plates hinged to the ends of the gate and adapted to project upwardly therefrom when the gate is open and to lie against said base when the receptable is in condition for transportation.

5. A receptacle for earth, comprising abase having sockets located therein near its end and rear edges, end and back sections provided with depending pins or bolts for engaging said sockets, a gate hinged to the forward edge of said bottom, a top provided with sockets, pins or bolts carried by the end and back sections and adapted to enter the sockets in the top and a flexible cover removably attached to the front edge of said top and adapted to conceal the contents of the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY D. CAMERON.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. O. CLARK, MARY FAWOETT. 

